US Open Cup Semifinal Preview: A Look Ahead to the Final Four Matches
The 2022 US Open Cup has reached its penultimate stage, with the Final Four teams set to face off in the semifinals. The tournament’s 107-year history has seen its fair share of underdogs and giant-killers, but this year’s semifinals promise to bring a fresh level of excitement as some of the country’s top teams vie for a spot in the championship game.
Match 1: LA Football Club (USL Championship) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
In a first-ever meeting between the two teams, LA Football Club (LAFC) will host Sacramento Republic FC at Banc of California Stadium on May 25. The Black and Gold, led by head coach Steve Cherundolo, have been dominant in the Open Cup, eliminating two USL League One teams and a lower-level amateur side en route to the semifinals. Sacramento Republic FC, meanwhile, has dispatched two USL Championship opponents, including a dramatic come-from-behind win over Seattle Sounders FC in the last round.
Match 2: Minnesota United FC (MLS) vs. Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
This all-MLS matchup will take place at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 26. Minnesota United FC, led by coach Adrian Heath, have been a force to be reckoned with in the tournament, defeating two lower-division opponents on their way to the semifinals. Sporting Kansas City, under coach Peter Vermes, will look to bounce back from a tough regular-season first leg against the Portland Timbers when they face the Loons.
What to Watch For
- Experience: Both LAFC and Sporting Kansas City boast significant Open Cup pedigree, having won the tournament in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Minnesota United FC, meanwhile, is seeking its first US Open Cup title.
- Pace and Possession: Sacramento Republic FC’s high-pressing, high-intensity style has been a key factor in their success, while Minneapolis United’s more methodical, possession-based approach has allowed them to control games.
- Goalkeeper Heroes: LAFC’s Phillip Rzepnik and Sporting Kansas City’s Tim Melia will be crucial in net, as both teams look for their keepers to make the difference in the semifinals.
- The X-Factor: Will LAFC’s winger Christian Torres, known for his blistering speed and skill on the wing, be able to make a difference against Sacramento Republic FC’s stingy defense? Can Sporting Kansas City’s speedy forward Johnny Russell provide the spark Minnesota United FC needs to get past the Loons’ stout backline?
The Road to the Championship
The stakes are high in the semifinals, with the winner of each match set to meet in the championship game on June 22. The tournament’s 102-year history has seen 22 different teams lift the trophy, and this year’s edition promises to be as thrilling and unpredictable as ever. Will tradition-rich clubs like LAFC and Sporting Kansas City reclaim the title, or will new contenders like Sacramento Republic FC and Minnesota United FC make a statement and bring home the hardware? There’s only one way to find out: tune in to the US Open Cup semifinals!
